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ectophagous

adjective
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ec·​toph·​a·​gous | \ (ˈ)ek¦täfəgəs \

Definition of ectophagous

: feeding from without:
a of a parasitoid insect larva : developing external to and feeding on the surface of the host — compare endophagous
b : consuming vegetation or plant debris by ingestion (as by browsing) rather than by disintegrating it from within

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History and Etymology for ectophagous

ect- + -phagous

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Cite this Entry

“Ectophagous.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ectophagous. Accessed 24 January 2020.

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